Humboldt State University ® Department of Chemistry

Robert A. Paselk Scientific Instrument Museum

From the Analytical/Physical Chemistry Lab, c. 1963

Main Exhibit in the Science-A 3^rd floor East Stairwell Cabinet

Exhibit Catalog

Physical chemistry and analytical chemistry focus on the nature and quantity of substances respectively. This exhibit shows some of the equipment used to explore these properties of matter in our well-equipped teaching labs in the 1960’s. This virtual exhibit includes all of the objects on display in the SA 3rd floor display case as well as additional objects displayed in other cases or web-only. The objects are loosely grouped by measurement type.

Introductory/Historical Essay: From the Analytical/Physical Chemistry Lab, c. 1963 by Richard A. Paselk, curator.

Physical Properties

Mass, density (or specific gravity = relative density), surface tension, viscosity, melting and freezing point etc. are properties characteristic of substances. Determination of these properties are critical to physical chemistry and are used in analytical chemistry to identify substances. Some of the tools used in these determinations at HSC are displayed and may be accessed below:

• Central Scientific Company Precision Hydrometer Set (c. 1960)
• Miscellaneous Glassware (c. 1960)
• Christian Becker Specific Gravity Balance (1959; exhibited in Science A 4th-Floor east stairwell display case
• Cenco-du Nouy Tensiometer (1960)
• Beckmann Differential Thermometer (c. 1960)
• NBS Certified Thermometer (c. 1960)

Electrochemistry

• Leeds & Northrup K-3 Potentiometer (1960)
• Leeds & Northrup Enclosed Lamp & Scale(DC) Galvanometer (1960)
• Leeds & Northrup Reflecting Galvanometer, Type R (1960; exhibited in Main Library north display case)
• Leeds & Northrup Lamp and Scale Reading Device (1960; exhibited in Main Library north display case)
• Standard Cell, Weston model 4 (1960)
• Standard Cell, Eppley (1959)

Optical Instruments

• HSC Shopbuilt Colorimetric Titrator (c. 1960)
• Rudolph & Sons, High Precision Polarimeter (1960)
  • Polarimeter Cells & Thermometers (c. 1960)
• Bausch & Lomb "Abbe 3L" Refractometer (1959)
• Precision Scientific Water Bath, Refractometer etc. (1971)
  • Precision Scientific Micro-set Thermoregulator (c.1960)

Supporting Documentation*

Manufacturer Histories

• Central Scientific Company (Cenco)
• Christian Becker, Inc
• Weston Electrical Instrument Company

* Additional documents such as instruction manuals, certificates etc. may be accessed via individual instrument page. and/or the Index to Contemporary/Early Instrument Literature.

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© R. Paselk

Last modified 26 March 2015